Royals Block Stevenson In 2-0 Win

Sunday was a much nicer day for soccer than Saturday. The Royals played on both days, and enjoyed Sunday’s sun en route to a 2-0 victory over Stevenson University.

EMU struck first, scoring just over 12 minutes into the game. Jordan Hollinger (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) and Mark Mast (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) worked a nice inside attack, with Mast centering to Hollinger from the right side. Hollinger easily beat the goalie for his first goal of the season.

The Mustangs nearly scored in the 22nd minute when they had two pointblank shots, but both were blocked by EMU defenders. Stevenson again made a flurry midway through the second, but the defense again got their legs in the way and kept most of the shots from even reaching keeper Andrew Yoder(Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite).

In the 80th minute, the Royals got their breathing room. Parker Leap (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) sent a fantastic through pass to Adam Moyer (Harleysville, PA/Christopher Dock) on the left side. Moyer’s shot bounced off the cross bar and the post, and the officials ruled it went in, making it 2-0.

Moyer nearly scored again in the 84th minute, when he got a shot past SU’s keeper. But a Mustang defender got to the rolling ball and knocked it away before it crossed the goal line.

Yoder and the EMU defensive line kept Stevenson at bay the rest of the way, preserving the shutout. It was the first time the Mustangs had been shut out this year, as they entered averaging 2.5 goals per game.

Stevenson had a 26-15 advantage in shots, although the Royals had the edge in quality, on-goal shots, 7-6. Yoder finished with six saves.

Eastern Mennonite improves to 2-2-1 with the win and has another non-conference game next week before hitting the ODAC slate. The Royals play at Lebanon Valley on Wednesday, and then open ODAC play at Hampden-Sydney next Saturday.